Perforated-music-sheet cutter.



W. G. DOTY.

PERFORATED MUSIC SHEET CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAILS. 1915.

1,171,932. imma 191151916.

3-SHEETS-SHEET 2. I Ei 7 ,2

Il [HMI MMIII M w. sr Dow.

PERFORATED MUSIC SHEET CUTTER.

APPLICATION F|1E0 MAR.8. 1915.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

WALTER G. DOTY, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

PERFORATED-MUSC-SI-YIEET CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led March 8, 41915. Serial No. 13,016.

To all/whom it may concern Be it' known that I, WALTER G. DOTY, citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of hio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Perforated- Music-Sheet Cutters, of which the following is a specification. f

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for producing perforated music or master sheets for mechanical players, automatic musical instruments for electrically controlled apparatus or for other purposes to which perforated sheets 0f this character may be applied.

The object ofthe invention is to-simplify the structure as well as the mea-ns and mode of operation of the sheet perforatng apparatus whereby it will not only be cheapened in construction, but will be more efficient in use, accurate, easily and quickly operated, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand operated device which may be employed by the individual, in the home or elsewhere, and who is unskilled .in the ordinary method of production of such perforated sheets, to produce perforated music sheets representing original musical compositions or to produce record sheets of comi positions not ordinarily obtainable from the usual manufacturers or supply houses.;

A further object isto'l provide economical means for producing sheets for controlling electrical apparatusvsuchqasv flash signs, signals, or educational apparatus With the above Vprim-ary and otherinci- 'dental objectsin view, as will" more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features vof; construction, the parts and combinations thereof, the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinj after described and set'forth in the claims.

lwith the music sheet removed.

. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled appara-- the gaging means by which the perforations are accurately located according to the notes or tones to bev produced and their extent or time valueand Arelative location in the measure orl bar determined. Fig. 5 is a `detail perspective view showing a portion of the. cutting die. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a series of cutters or punches employed ,in conjunction with the die to produce perare commonly supplied to the public by manufacturers whose factories are equipped with expensive machinery usually of the automatic type for producing suchV perforated Patented Feb. 15, 1916. y

sheets. It frequently occurs, however, that an individual desires for his own use a record or perforated sheet of some particulai' composition which may be either an `original composition or someold familiar 4favoriteair which is not ordinarily manufactured and supplied through the usualnomically prepare for himself such a. record or perforated sheet is one of the primary objects of the present invention.V Another field of -application is that of electric Hash signs. The apparatus is designed to enable the operator to provide new control sheets changing the order of operation of the flash apparatus at will.

v In constructing the device there is employed a bed portion l supported in side frames 2-2 provided with supporting feet 3 3. Journaled in the side frames 'at one side of the bed 1, which will be referred to as the rear side, is a. supply roll 4 for the supply portion of the sheet to lbe perforated. Located at the opposite side of the bed, heieinafter referred to as the front of the device, and journaled in the side frames 2 isa receiving roll 5. The supply roll 4 is removable from the apparatus and is jourualed upon trunnions carried by the side frames 2.

The trunnion 6 at the left side of the device I is preferably screw threaded and is p rovided with a lock or set screw 7 by which the trunnion may be secured inits ad]usted position. The purpose of this adjustable the right hand side of 'the device.

lgage.

cured to the under side of the bed 1 by trunnion is to aline the sheets in proper relation with the cutting dies and gage. At the 'right hand side the supply roll 4 is provided with a spring pressed or yielding trunnion 8 such as are commonly found in mechanical players or automatic instruments employing perforated sheets of this character. The trunnion 8 is depressible against the tension of the spring 9 to permit the insertion of the roll and thereafter the spring 9 maintains the trunnion 8 in engagementwith the end of the roll. The trunnions are preferably provided with knurled heads or knobs, as shown in the drawing. The receiving roll 5 is permanently located in the device and is rotated manually by means of a head or knob 10, shown in the drawings at This roll 5 is provided with a brake arm 11 which comprises a spring blade resting upon an extension of the roll. This brake device, by frictional engagement, tends to maintain the roll in its adjusted position.

The bed portion 1 is provided with a centrally located opening 12 withinhwhich is located the series of cutting dies. There is one of the dies for each note within the range or compass of thedevice. These cutting dies are spaced in their relation one with another corresponding with the spaced relation of the orifices of the tracker bar of the mechanical player or automatic instrument with which the sheet is to be employed. At the present time these devices have, for

4the most part, been standardized whereby the spaced relation of the tracker bar orifices is the same in different instruments. The cutting dies may be of any desired or suitable construction.` In the drawings,- and particularly in Figs. 2 and 5, there has been shown a particularly efficient and economical form of cutting dies. In this particular form of dies the cutting is accomplished by means of parallel plates 13 arranged in spaced relation and separated one from the other by interposed spacing members 14. (See Fig. 3). These plates 13 are of Aa thickness corresponding to the distance between succeeding note perforations in the sheet. The space intermediate succeeding plates corresponds with the width of the perforations to be made in the sheet. Theplates with their intermediate spacers are strung on parallelshafts or rods 15 which extend through corresponding perforations in the respective plates and spacers and are locked tightly in their assembled position by means of 'nuts 16 on the screw threaded extremities of the rod 15. The die body thus provided is supported within the opening 12v of the bed 1 by suspension plates 17 ywith which the opposite ends of the parallel rods 15 en- These suspension 'plates 17 are sescrews 18. The die plates 13 are thus arregister.

ranged in alinement withthe path of travel of the sheet across the bed 1`.y vThe length of the plates 13 is substantially equal `tof-or greater than the length of the sheet necessary to contain the notes of a single measure miniature .representation` of a piano key-- board, the L keys of which may, for convenience, be lettered in proper. sequence. The rear edge of the gage bar 19 is provided with a series of notches 21, there being one notch for each key 'represented upon the gage bar with which the corresponding notches Likewise there `is .one notch for each die.

Extending'across the rear portion vof the ward from the sideframes 2 is a transverse shaft 23. Slidingly mounted on this shaft 23 is an oscillatory head 24 carrying a gage plate 25 which cooperates with the gage bar 19. The gage plate 25 may be of any suitable materiall such as metal or composition but ispreferably a transparent plate of glass or Celluloid. At its forward end the plate 25 is provided with a stud or pin or with a suitable tooth .S26 adapted to engage any two series of time "value graduations, one.

series uponeach side of the longitudinal slot 27. The length of the slot 2 7 is equivalent to a'full measure or bar ofthe music,

or in other words', is equivalent to a whole 4 Upon-the rightv hand side note in time.l of the slot 27, in the drawings, the gage plate has beengraduated for or or time. The entire length of the slot has been divided into fourths representing quarter time and these fourths again .bi-

sected to represent eighth notes Aand these note graduations againl bisected 4to repret ini DOGS 4 sent sixteenth notes all in time. These graduationsvdetermine the time values of .bed and supported in arms 22 projecting upthe perforationspand the positions of the 1 9determines the position of the note perfoi-ations transversely upon the sheet or the position of the `perforati'ons representing p ated t0 represent "different notes or producing ditlerent tones.

Upon the left hand Side of the slot ."'27 the length'of the slot has been divided or `gradu- 3 (i 4..' Orcs' l `ofthe slot has been divided first into thirds. each representinga una-rter note.v the three quarter noteslnnikingup the entire measure orzbar. flach of these quarter `note graduations is divided into half to represent time# The length eighth notes and further divided intofourths to` represent sixteenth notes. Thusl when producing a composition 1n 4-1 2- or -4 time the graduations upon `the right hand side `of the slot 2T will be employed while when (a i producingiu 4 g or the gradu ations at the L t i left of the slot )vill be .emiiloyed.- Assuming that `af bar of inusioin 4 time containing ti.-.-t a half` note. seconda quarter note` `and `then two eighthr notes to be repre r*sented upon the sheet by means of perforatlions therein` starting at the forward end :i ofthe slot `ZT. the sheet `will be perforated `.fora distance indicated `b v one half the ylength of the slot to represent the half note.

'llhen `the sheet will be lwr'lorated a distance Acorres;)onding with the third `quarter of the slot to rein-csent theuuarter note. and will fbe again `perforated a distance corresponding to and registering with the seventh eighth of the slot "and with the last eighth i notesl in tbe ineasureor bar.

ot' thc slet to represent the. two final eighth y vlt will be understood that the gage plate 25 is shifted `each time to a diil'erent position by sliding the head il transversely upon the shaft j l to bring thegagc slot :2T into registry with `the die for cutting the particular note cort resplinding `to the half note. 'quarter note.

or `eightlrnote to be reproductal. Thus if theftirst note is fthe orage )late 25 will be adjusted with the `pin `or tooth 2t? engaging y .linfthe notch 2l of lthe gage bar l!) corresponding with the particular key c indicated upon the bar`` It the succeeding note is then ethe gagetplate 25 shifted lati erally` and the tooth 2(3 thereof islengaged in the notch' :2l Corresponding with the key There is one of these cutters providedfor each denomination or value ot' notes. That is. there is one wide cutter, as shown at 28, for half notes. a second cutter .29 of substantially half the width for quarter notes and other cutters 30 and 3l ot' proportionate size foreighth and sixteenth notes. It will also be understood that there are two sets 2 2 4 4 2` or 4 time corresponding with the gradnations at the right of the slot 2T anda second set of 3 (i cutters tor 21; or time corresponding `with L the graduations at the left of the slot. These cutters preferably comprise platesot of cutters; one set of cutters for steel having a thickness substantially egual to the space. intermediate succeeding die plates 13. The lower or operating end of `the punch or cutter is recessed. as shown at :l2 Fig. o. and the opposite edges of the punches adjacent to the cutting end are rounded as shown at l'l. The recessed cutting end of the punches cause the paper to be. perforated or cut from the opposite ends of the perforations or slots toward each other as shown in detail in Fig. T. The intersection of the recesses in the. cutter with the sides thereof forms two points which puncture the sheet in separated plaees. the further operation causes the intermediate shearing portions to extend these initial punctures one toward the other until they meet. Ilaving tirst positioned the guide plate or time gage 25. the cutter or punch corresponding to the note value `or denomi nation is selected and is inserted within the slot :ZT in registry with the propel' graduations according to the position of the note in the measure or bar. The punch or cutter is their pressed downward. The slot :2T in the guide plate. being positioned in registry with the space between succeeding die plates lil causes the vpunch selected to register with the space and to cooperate with the edges of the adjacent die plates 13 to shear or cut the material forming the sheet. As the punch or cutter is pressed downward the extreme corners of the cutter or punch are thrust through the sheet making` two substantialliy semicircular incisions which are then extend` ed toward each other in parallel lines until 1- thcy meet and the tongues of paper-formed thereby are entirely reinoved. leaving a sin gle slot in the sheet corresptaiding in length with the value or dt'aiomination of the note and in position transversely with the character or tone of the note. The punches or cutters are of slightly less width than the eX- tent of the corresponding graduations upon the guide plate 25. ly referring to Fig. .7 it will be seen that the. half note, indicated within the slot 2T. does not extend entirely to themedial graduation otl the. slot. The purpose of this is to leave a small bridge or connecting portion'between slots or perfora tions representing sucoeeding notes of the 1M -radially about a common center.

same 'tonal value. As each measure vor bar represented by the length ot' the slot 27 is completed. the receiving roll 5 is rotated by means of the handle or knob 10 to advance 'the sheet across the bed 1, therebyirolling the finished portion of the sheet upon theV roll 5 and drawing a fresh supply from the roll l.. The length ot moven'lent is determined by the gage bar 19. The sheet is advanced until the 'last perforation, z'. e., the perforation reljiresenting the inal note of the preceding bar is Substantially in registry with thevnotched edge 21 ot' the gage bar 19. The same-process is repeated for each succeeding measure or bar ot the composition.4

The particular form ot' die embodying the separate plates 11% and interposed space members 1l has .heen found particularly `eil'ic-ient forthe present purpose. The plates. being compartively thin. possess a slight degree ot' resiliency or tendency to yield Atoprevent the punch or cutter being wedged therein. It is obvious that for convenience all of the A 2 punches relatmg to one set,1.. e., all for 4 time or those `for time may bc formed on a single unit. the punch bars being arranged Such construction is obvious and will require no illustration.

lhle the ap1'1aratus has been described and shown as especially adapted for cuotting lnusic sheets. it is to be understood that it isl notlimited to such use but as before stated it nuiay be used for l'n'oducing perforated sheets Jor a variety otpurposes.

From the above description it` will be apparent. that there is thus provided ar device,

,of the character described. possessing the particular features ot' advantage before enumerated as desirable but which obviously is susceptible ot' modification. in its form. proportion, detail ctmstruction. or arrangement ofjparts. without,departing 'romthe princple involved or sacrificing any of its ad-` vantages. t v The means and construction herein described con'iprise but one mode ot' putting the invention into effect. and the invention istherefore lclaimed broadly in any of its possible forms or mmliiications within the scope of the appended claims'. y

Having thus described my invention, I claim: f. 'l

1.111 a sheet pertorating apparatus.y a supporting bed tor the material operated upon, a series ot dies in said hed. a gage member movable to dili'erent positions in -re'lation kwith said bed. and means tor insuring the registration ot the gage member V in each position ot' adjustment with one ot said dies. and a cutter adapted to cooperate with'the dies. t f y 2. In a sheet perforatmg ,apparatus` a n supporting bed for the material operatedupon, a series ofdies lo 'ated' in said bed,

a cutter cooperating withA thedies, a gage for said cutter movable to different positions to cause the cutter to register with dies corresl'mnding with different notes, said gage having indi lating means thereon Jr'or determining the position ofthe note represented' by the pertorationin the measure or bar. f 4

Ll. In a sheet perforating apparatus, a supporting vbed for the material operated upon, and a series of dies located in said bed, a cutter,cooperating with the dies, a

gage movablevinto registry with ditl'erent dies of the series for determining the posif tion ot the. pertoratmns transversely in the Sheet, and means upon the gage fordetern'1ining the relative position of the perforation longitudinally in the sheet.

In a sheet -pert'orating apparatus, a supporting bed tor the materialoperated upon, a series ot' dies located in said bed, a cutter cooperating with the dies, a gage member ytor determining .the point ot' 0peration o1 the cutter in longitudinal relation with the sheet. said ,gage member being transversely `adjustable into registry with dilferent dies of the series to determine the point otoperation of theeutter in transverse relation with the sheet.

(S. `In a supporting hed for the material operated upon, a series ot dies located in said bed, a cutter cooperating with the dies, a tonal gage, and a `time gage, one of said gages being adjustable in relation with the other.

T. In -a sheet perforatingapparatus, a supporting bed Jor 4the material operated upon, al series of dies lo -ated in said bed, a cuttervcooperating with the dies, a tonal gage, and. a time gagev adjustable in relation with the tonal gage.

In` a sheet perforating apparatus, a supporting bed Jfor the material operated upon` a rseries of dies located in said bed, and a 1 cutter cooperating with the dies, a tonal gage. a movable time gage, and means for interengaging the time value gage with the tonal gage in predetermined.positions in-y which the time value gage will register with particular diesot the sei-les.

S). ln a sheet pertoratmg apparatus, a

sheet perforating apparatus, a

aor

supportingbed `for the material operated upon. a series of dies located in Said bed, a

cutter cooperating with the dies, a movable slotted plate, and meansfor engaging the platein different predetermined positions with its slot in registry with one ofthe series of dies.

cutter cooperating with the dies, a movable slotted plate having time value graduations therein, said plate being adjustable to v arious positions in which its slot will register with different dies of the series.

`11. In a sheet perforating apparatus,'a supporting bed for the material operated upon, afseries `otl dies located in said bed, a cutter cooperating with the dies, a shat't extending transversely in relation with said bed, a gage ymember pivoted on said shaft `and slidable thereon into registry with ditferent dies ot' the series. l

1Q. In a sheet performing apparatus, a supporting bed for the material operated upon, a series of dies located in said bed, a cutter cooperating with the dies, a shaft extending transversely in relation with said bed, agage member slidahle upon the shaft into registry with 'ditt'erent dies of the series, said gage member being capable ot' oscillatf'ny movement about the shaft by which it is locked in andr unlocked from its adjusted position, a

13:3. In a sheet perforating apparatus, a

supportingbed for the material operated upon, a series of dies located in said bed, a cutter cooperating with the dies. and a time. 'valuegage registerable with an \-v one of the dies of the series.

11. In a sheet perforating apparatus. a supporting bed for the material operated upon, a series ot' dies located in said bed` a cutter cooperating with the dies having graduations thereon corresponding with the `keys of a piano, said ke)r imlicatioiis registering with the corresponding dies ofI the series. i

"15. In a sheet perforating apparatus. a supporting bed for the material operated upon, a series of dies located therein, a cutter cooperating with the dies, a movable gage for the cutter, and a gage with which the cutter gage cooperates to position the latter in predetermined relation.. with the dies. a j

16. In a sheet pertorating apparatus, -a supporting bed for the material operated upon, a series of dies located therein. a. cutter cooperating with-the dies, a movable gage tor the cutter` and a gage ba-r with which the cutter gage is interengaged in different positions of adjustment to locate `the. cutter gage in predetermined relation Iwith the dies.

`1"?. In a sheetpertorating apparatus, a supporting bed torthe. material operated upon, afseries of dies located therein, a eutter cooperating with the dies, a movable gage tor the cutter, and a gage bar having therein a series of recesses, and a projection on the cutter gage to engage in any one of the recesses to position the cutter gage in predetermined relation with the dies,

1S. ln a inusic sheetpertoratiiig apparatus. a supporting bed for the material 0pj nt-:positions ot' adjustment.

.19. In a' music sheet peit'orating apparatus, a suliporting bed for the material operated upon, a series of 'dies located therein, a cutter cooperating with. the dies.; a tonal gage having a series ot' recesses therein, a projection on the time gage adapted to engage in any one ot' the recesses in the tonal gage.

Q0. In a music sheet perforating apparatus. a supporting bed for the material operated upon. a series ot' dies located therein. a cutter coi'iperating with the dies, a tonal gage having thereon a series ot indications corresponding with the ltevs ot' a piano. and i a movable gage t'or the cutter adapted to be. differently positioned in accordance with said indications to guide the cutter in locating the pert'orations in accordance with the corresponding lievs ot' a piano.

Q1. In a sheet pertorating apparatus, a series ot` elongated dies` and a cutter ot less extent than the die capable ot' cooperation therewith at any point throughout the extent ot' the die.

22. In a sheet pertorating apj'iai'atus. a die and a punch ot' less extent than the die capable ot' cooperation therewith at an)Y point within the limit ot the die.

In a sheetl pertorating apparatus` a supporting hed for the material operated upon. and an elongated slot therein equal to or greater than the longest perforation to be formed. and a cutter ot less extentthan the slot cooperating therewith at anv point throughout its length.

2l. In a sheet pertorating apparatus. a supporting bed t'or the material operated upon. and an elongated slot therein equal to or greater than the longest perforation to he formed, and a pluralit \v ot' cutters of different sizes adapted to interchangeably cooperate with said slot.

In a sheet pertorating apparatus. a supporting bed for the material operated upon. and a series ot dies ot' substantially equal extent located therein` and a series of cutters of different extent cooperating with' the substantially equal dies.

2G. In a sheet pertorating apparatus. a supjiorting hed t'or the material operated upon having a series ot' parallel slots ot subsubstantiall)T equal length and equal to or longer than the longest perforation to be formed. and a cutter of less extent than the slots `capable of cooperation with any slot at any'point within the limits of the.

latter. Y i

In a sheet perforating apparatus.a die Acomprising a series of plates arranged side b v side in parallel planes and in spaced rela` tion one with another. and a cutter elommon to all the plates.

2). In a sheet perforating apparatus. a series of spaced plates arranged in parallel planes. means for holding said plates in ad jnsted positions. and a vcutter adapted to en tel between an)y two adjacent plates c the series.

30. I n a sheetv perforating apparatus. a series ofseparate plates arranged in parallel spaced relation. a series of spacer members interposed between the plates. means for holding the platesand ii'iterposed spacersin assembled positions. and a cutter coperating vwith anyY of the plates of the series.

3l. In a sheetperforating apparatus. a series of separate plates arranged in parallel spaced relation, a series of spacer members interposed between the plates. the said plates and spacers having registering perforations therein. and a connecting rod passing through the registered Aopenings of the plates and spacers. and a cutter common to all the plates.

32. In a' sheet perforating apparatus. al series of dies. and a cutter common to all the dies, having a recessed cutting edge whereby said vcutter will `initiall \Y puncture the sheet independent ofthe die at separated points and b v' vsubsequent cooperation with the die extend the initial perforations until they meet.

3?. In a sheet perforating apparatus. series of dies. and a cutter common t0 all the dies. two terminal extensions on the cut# te adapted to initially puncture the sheet independent of the die at separated points, and an intermediate shear edge coacting with the die to connect the initial punctnres.

2H. In a sheet I )erfm'ating apparatus. a series of dies. ashearing cutter. two separated puncture points carried thereby operating independent of the die. and an intermediateshearing portion c oacting with the die to extend the pnnctures -in parallel lines one toward the other. l

'35. In a vsheet perforating apparatus. a series of dies. and a shearing cutter having a recessed operating portion adapted to initiall v puncture the sheet at separated points intermediate the ends of the die and thereafter enacting with 'the die to'connect the punctures one with the other.

3G. In a sheet perforating apparatus. a cutter' having a recessed operating edge. the said recess intersecting the side lilies of the cutter at acute angles and a die comprising parallel shearing edges of greater extent than the cutter.

37. In a sheet perforating apparatus. a cutter having two puncture points connected bv intermediate shear edges. and .a die with which the cutter coi'iperates comprising two parallel shearing edges of greater extent than said cutter.

In testimonv whereof. I have hereunto .set my hand tliis24th da)v of Ilebruary,v A. D. 1915.

IVALTER G. DOTY.

litnessesz HARRY I". NOLAN, Canine M. Rectum.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

